Lawmakers Seldom Act On Ethics Charges

July 23, 1995|By LINDA KLEINDIENST and Tallahassee Bureau Chief

Rarely does the full House or Senate get to act on an ethics charge against a colleague.

In a recent example, former state Rep. Micheal Langton of Jacksonville received a public reprimand from the House in 1992. Langton had violated ethics laws by directly contacting a worker at the Department of Community Affairs about administration of the state's community development block grant program. At the time, Langton's consulting business was representing cities and counties seeking block grants.

An investigation by the Ethics Eommission indicated that Langton complained loudly enough to the DCA that it resulted in changes to the grant program that benefited his clients.

But Langton said his aim was to improve the state program - and that he had been asked by one House leader to get involved in the issue.

"If I'm guilty of anything, I'm guilty of doing my job as a citizen legislator," he said then.

The Ethics Commission recommended that Langton be reprimanded by the House and fined $5,000. A special House panel investigating the case agreed with the reprimand but not the fine.

Today, Langton maintains there was no evidence he made a personal profit. He also wonders why his 'nothing' case was pursued while more blatant conflicts have been allowed to slide.

"They went for the jugular on my case," said Langton, who was left with an $81,000 legal bill. He did not seek re-election.

About the same time Langton came under the gun, The Ethics Commission found former state Rep. Gerald Rehm of Clearwater guilty of a similar violation. Rehm had lobbied the state Department of Transportation on behalf of the Top of the Bay Task Force, which was seeking road improvements in Hillsboro and Pi nellas counties. Rehm was paid for the job.

By the time the ethics panel acted, Rehm was no longer in office, defeated in a re-election bid.